Two years after acquiring the JCB Tools branding and distribution rights, Genpower has launched the JCB Pro 18V cordless range of handheld power tools.
Genpower, a tool distributor based in Pembroke Dock,聽bought the global license for JCB-branded power tools range two years ago when it acquired the Greatstar UK group of companies, the previous licensee.
Genpower also holds the license for Hyundai tools in the UK and France.
For the JCB tools it decided to go back to the drawing board and come up with a range of tools to compete against the likes of Bosch Blue, DeWalt, Makita and Milwaukee
Two years in the making, JCB Pro 18V has been developed using a tool-by-tool approach. Rather than building the launch around one flagship product, JCB Tools says it benchmarked each tool against leading professional tools across the market, to create a line-up that performs strongly across the core jobs tradespeople rely on day to day: drilling, fastening, cutting, grinding, and specialist applications.
Among the tools launching under Pro 18V banner is the JCB Pro 18V combi drill, delivering 160Nm of torque with a brushless motor, anti-kickback control, and a 13mm ROHM metal chuck, aimed at demanding screwdriving, drilling and hammer drilling applications.
The JCB Pro 18V grease gun has been one of the range鈥檚 best sellers so far, delivering up to 10,150psi (700 bar) and up to 300g/min max flow, with cartridge and bulk-fill capability. A grease gun kit version is planned for release later this year.
All tools in the JCB Pro 18V range run on a shared JCB 18V Li-ion battery platform, helping users standardise on one system across multiple tools.
鈥淭he market has strong players, so we wouldn鈥檛 make this move unless we believed the demand for another serious power tool contender was there,鈥� said product director Tom Milnthorpe. 鈥淲e鈥檝e designed Pro 18V for real working environments, construction, maintenance, agriculture, and industry, where downtime is expensive and tools have to earn their keep.
鈥淭hat鈥檚 why we spent two years developing the range, benchmarking it tool-by-tool against the strongest tools in each category, not just building one standout product. We wanted a full toolbox platform that鈥檚 durable, priced for the working trade, and backed by warranty and proper aftersales support, and that鈥檚 exactly what Pro 18V is built to do.鈥�
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